Bee SWL, Hoe RHM, Goh AGW, Goh Y, Chan VEY, Yong C, Lim MC, Kee CK, Kei PL. Cauda equina thickening: an approach to MRI findings.
Clin Radiol 2023:S0009-9260(23)00141-1. [PMID:
37179144 DOI:
10.1016/j.crad.2023.04.002]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
There are many causes of cauda equina (CE) thickening on neuroimaging of the lumbar spine. The imaging features of CE thickening for the various conditions often overlap and are non-specific to clinch a definite diagnosis. Hence, the imaging findings have to be discerned in accordance with the patient's presenting history, clinical examination findings, and results from electrophysiology and laboratory studies. In this review, the authors aim to supplement the existing literature on imaging findings of CE thickening with a diagnostic framework for clinical workup. The authors also aim to familiarise readers with the interpretation of CE thickening on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and would like to illustrate the normal variants and pitfalls that could be mistaken for abnormal results.
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